I - C A R E, Inc.

08/31/2026

Your energy bill doesn't just show how much energy you use...
It can also reveal how efficiently your home uses it.

Through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), eligible households can receive improvements designed to reduce energy waste, lower energy costs, and create safer, healthier, more comfortable homes.

We understand that every dollar saved on energy is a dollar that can go toward something else a family needs.

Contact us today to learn more:
704-872-8141

08/28/2026

This week, Bill Gates wrote about the enormous promise of AI and the disruption it may bring in his blog post: "The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical."

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/turbulent-ai-era-here-choices-we-make-now-critical-bill-gates-kkmze/

He cautioned that the people who may need the most time and support to adapt are often those who make the least, including workers whose jobs, wages, or hours could be affected by AI and automation.

That's one reason the work of Community Action matters so much.

As our economy changes, community action agencies like I-CARE will be needed not only to help people through difficult moments, but to help individuals and families build skills, access opportunities, have access to reliable workforce infrastructure like Head Start, and move toward greater economic stability.

Dolly Parton spent her life showing what can happen when success is paired with generosity and genuine concern for others.

May we carry her legacy forward, especially in times of change. 💗

08/27/2026

Why does family engagement matter?

Research involving more than 154,000 young children found that father involvement is significantly associated with stronger social-emotional development, with fathers’ warmth, responsiveness, and positive engagement all making a difference.

At I-CARE, we know that engaging the whole family helps create a stronger foundation for children to learn, grow, and thrive.

Strong children start with strong families.
Help us strengthen both.
Donate today.
🔗 https://www.icare-inc.org/



Source: Zheng, Q., Cai, L., Huang, P., Huang, W., & Ni, Y. (2026). Father’s involvement is critical in social-emotional development in early childhood: A meta-analysis. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 74, 26–34.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0885200625000754

08/24/2026

🇺🇸 Your voice matters. Your vote matters. And your community matters. 🇺🇸

The 2026 Midterm Election is coming up on November 3, and we encourage eligible North Carolinians to make sure they are registered and ready to vote.

Did you know that eligible existing NCDMV customers with a North Carolina driver’s license or ID can register to vote online? You can also use the online application to update your address or party affiliation.

📅 Regular voter registration deadline: October 9, 2026 at 5 p.m.
🗳️ Election Day: November 3, 2026

Don't wait until Election Day is around the corner.
Take a few minutes today to check your registration and make sure you're ready to make your voice heard.

Register to vote online through the NC State Board of Elections
🔗 www.ncsbe.gov

08/21/2026

🌟 STAFF SPOTLIGHT | Meet Debra Whisken 🌟

Investing in our staff creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond professional development.

This month, we're proud to spotlight Debra Whisken, Professional Development Coordinator, whose work equips our Head Start team with the skills and knowledge they need to best support our children and families.

We asked Debra what she enjoys most about her work.
Her answer says so much about why staff development matters:

💬 “I really enjoy seeing the confidence staff gain as they develop new skills they can use in their work with children and families. I love seeing the excitement on their faces as they watch children achieve a new goal or families share a new accomplishment.

When staff have the right skills and knowledge, they are able to prepare children to become successful learners as they enter school. They are also better equipped to help families advocate for their children, connect with resources they need, and reach the goals they set.

It all has a ripple effect. Children are better prepared to succeed in school, families feel supported and empowered, and they are better able to thrive and strengthen the community.”

That's the ripple effect of investing in people:

✔️ Confidence grows.
✔️ Children grow.
✔️ Families grow.
✔️ Communities grow.

Thank you, Debra, for strengthening our staff and creating a ripple effect that reaches children, families, and our community.

We're so grateful for you! 💙

08/20/2026

62 years later, the promise of Community Action continues. 💙

I-CARE is proud to carry forward the vision of the Economic Opportunity Act by assisting individuals and families in accessing opportunities, overcoming barriers, and building stronger futures.

From preparing children for success through Head Start and Early Head Start to helping families improve the safety, comfort, and energy efficiency of their homes through Weatherization, Community Action continues to meet people where they are and help create pathways forward.

Today, we honor the history that started a movement and the families, staff, partners, and communities who continue moving it forward.

Helping People. Changing Lives.

ON THIS DAY IN 1964 — Today, we commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the signing of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, a key piece of legislation that laid the foundation for alleviating poverty and uplifting low-income individuals and families across the country.

On August 20, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared an “unconditional war on poverty” by signing this landmark act, and from that moment forward, Community Action Agencies (CAAs) have been at the forefront of the fight for economic justice and equity.

The Act made possible programs such as Head Start, giving children a strong educational foundation, as well as weatherization and utility assistance, food and housing services, job training, and senior support programs that help people live with dignity and independence.

What made Community Action unique in 1964 remains true today: the commitment to self-sufficiency and the belief that people know best what their own communities need.

NCCAA and our agencies continue to build on the promise of the Economic Opportunity Act—helping people and changing lives across North Carolina.

08/20/2026

Energy efficiency and weatherization help North Carolina families lower their energy bills and improve comfort and safety at home.

Through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), households that need support most can access energy-efficiency improvements that make a meaningful difference at home and beyond.

🏠 For families: Lower energy costs and improved comfort and safety.

⚡ For North Carolina: Energy efficiency strengthens our energy system and helps reduce strain during peak demand.

🌱 For our environment: Investments in energy efficiency reduce environmental impacts and support North Carolina’s growing energy goals.

🔧 For our communities: Weatherization programs create jobs, support skilled workers, and strengthen local economies.

For 50 years, weatherization has demonstrated that improving a home can have an impact far beyond its walls.

I-CARE is proud to be part of that work in North Carolina.

08/17/2026

Connection is at the heart of learning. 💙

Last week, members of the I-CARE Head Start team had the opportunity to participate in Conscious Discipline training sponsored by .

The training explored practical, research-based approaches to social-emotional learning, self-regulation and creating safe, connected and cooperative environments for children and adults.

For Jessica Spain, one of I-CARE's Center Directors, one message stood out:

→ supporting children begins with understanding how we respond to them.

“By becoming more aware of our own responses and learning to regulate ourselves, we are better equipped to help children develop the skills they need to regulate their emotions and behavior.”

Jessica also shared that the training reinforced the importance of looking beyond a child's behavior to understand the skills they may need help developing.

“Connection is at the heart of learning, and the way we respond to children can make a lasting difference in how they see themselves, relate to others, and navigate their emotions.”

We're grateful to Lifespan Services for sponsoring this valuable learning opportunity and to the I-CARE team members who continue investing in the knowledge and skills that help children and families thrive.

08/13/2026

TODAY - AUGUST 13th!!

Circle K is hosting Inner Circle Fuel Day, offering 40 cents off per gallon of gas all day from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. local time.

The discount is available to Inner Circle loyalty members at over 5,000 participating U.S. locations.

How to Get the Discount
Join the program: Sign up for free through the Circle K app or text JOIN to 25050 if you are not already a member.

At the pump: Enter the phone number linked to your Inner Circle account directly at the pump before you start fueling.

Transaction limit: The discount applies to up to 35 gallons per fill-up.

Learn more here and make sure to review the requirements:
https://www.circlek.com/inner-circle-fuel-day

Share with your friends and family!

08/12/2026

✅ UPDATE: Internet & Phone Services Restored

The internet issue at I-CARE’s main office has been resolved, and our email and telephone services are now fully operational.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we worked to resolve the issue. We apologize for any inconvenience the temporary outage may have caused.

We appreciate your patience!